Romania’s Far-Right Leader to Face Centrist Mayor in Runoff
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A Romanian ultranationalist aligned with Donald Trump will head to a presidential runoff against the centrist mayor of Bucharest later this month after securing victory in a repeat election on Sunday, the latest blow to the nation’s ruling establishment.
George Simion of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians secured about 41%, while independent Nicusor Dan won 21%, Romania’s election authority said early Monday with almost all votes counted. Former liberal party leader Crin Antonescu, who was backed by the current ruling coalition, came in third and will miss out on the runoff, in a move that risks unsettling the current government led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.